FMU presents annual Marion Medallion Awards

On February 27, 2023, businessmen Jim Brown and Tim Norwood and former Florence City Council member and community activist Pat Gibson-Hye Moore received Marion Medallion awards during a ceremony held at the Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center.

Brown and Norwood are business partners in EmployReward Solutions and Synergi, and have been instrumental in the revitalization of downtown Florence. The Francis Marion University alumni have made significant contributions to both the community and the university.  Collectively, they have served on many boards and commissions in the area including the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce, the Florence Downtown Development Corporation, and Florence County Progress.

Moore has served on the Florence City Council, Florence 1 School Board, and the Housing Authority of Florence Board of Commissioners. She organized the East Florence Community Organization over twenty-five years ago and is the co-founder of the South Carolina Pecan and Music Festival and chairman of the Florence Christmas Parade. She is working with House of Hope Executive Director Bryan Braddock to raise $1 million to build a community resource building for the homeless in Florence.

Francis Marion University and the Morning News have presented the award annually since February 2012 to recognize Pee Dee citizens who have made sustained and significant contributions to improve the region and lives of its residents.